524 VEGEl'ABLE DRUGS 



Myrrha. Myrrh. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Synonym.^-M.jriche, F. 



A gum-resin obtained from Commiphora Myrrha (Nees) 

 Engler (nat. ord. Burseraceae). 



Habitat. — Eastern Africa and Southwestern Arabia, 

 along the borders of the Bed Sea. 



Description. — In roundish or irregular tears or masses j 

 dusty, brownish-yellow or reddish-brown ; fracture waxy, 

 somewhat splintery ; translucent on the edges, somewhat 

 marked with whitish veins ; odor balsamic ; taste aromatic, 

 bitter and acrid. When triturated with water, myrrh yields 

 a brownish-yellow emulsion ; it is soluble in alcohol. 



Constituents. — 1, an active resinous principle, myrrhin 

 (C^gHjjOio), 30 to 40 per cent. ; 2, myrrhol (Ci„Hi^Oi), a volatile 

 oil, 2-8 per cent. ; 3, arabin, a gum, 50 to 60 per cent. ; 4, a 

 bitter substance. 



Dose.— H. & C, 3n.-iv. (8.-15.); Sh. & Sw., 3ss.-i. 

 (2.-4.) ; D., gr.v.-xxx. (.3-2.). 



PREPARATIONS. 



Tinotura Myrrhce. Tincture of Myrrh. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Made by maceration of myrrh, 200, with alcohol, and filtration to 

 make 1000. (U. S. P.) 



Dose.— H. & C, 1 i.-ii. (30.-60.) ; Sh. & Sw., 3 iii.-vi. (13.-24.) ; D., 

 3 ss.-i. (2.-4.). 



Tinotura Aloes et Myrrhce. Tincture of Aloes and Myrrh. 

 (U. S. P.) 



Made by maceration and percolation of myrrh, 100; purified aloes, 

 100; liquorice root; with alcohol and water to make 1000. (TJ. S. P.) 



Dose.— H. & C, §ii.-iv. (60.-120.) ; Sh. & Sw., | ss.-i. (15.-30.) ; D., 

 3 i.-ii. (4.-8.). 



PUulcB Aloes et MyrrhcB. (U. S. & B. P.) 

 Dose.— D., 2 pills. 



Action and Uses. — Myrrh, externally, is a mild stimulant 



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